DRR Advisor, UK Based - JD

Disaster Risk Reduction Advisor

International Division (ID)

Job description

Job purpose: To coordinate CAFOD’s DRR work and act as a specialist resource on DRR across the organisation.

Job Scope: The post will be based in the Humanitarian Department and will oversee the development and expansion of CAFOD’s work in disaster risk reduction around the world. The postholder will work to an annual work plan that will detail specific tasks and objectives for the year.

Accountability: The postholder will report to the Head of Humanitarian Programmes forthe Asia, Latin America and Technical Support Team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

To develop and maintain CAFOD’sstrategy for DRR within the framework of the wider Humanitarian Strategy, and particularly:
The integration of an understanding of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies in development and humanitarian programmes at all levels;
The integration of an understanding of DRR into CAFOD’s work on climate change, sustainable livelihoods, HIV & AIDs, economic justice and peace & conflict;
Identifying where CAFOD’s added value/comparative advantage lies.
To act as a specialist resource for the International Division (ID) on DRR and to stay up to date with current research and practice and disseminate this information, as appropriate, across ID.
To link with relevant academic and specialist knowledge centres and to help ensure that CAFOD’s approach to DRR and humanitarian and development work is accurately underpinned by scientific knowledge and thinking.
To advise on and coordinate DRR programme/project development and implementation across CAFOD, including management of any specific funds for DRR projects that may be made available.
To capture and document learning and provide recommendations for CAFOD’s future policy and practice in DRR.
To design and execute strategies for building the capacity of CAFOD, and its local partners, in DRR and to oversee the development of user-friendly tools and resources, as needed. To support CAFOD staff and partners to identify high quality local technical resources in the countries in which we work.
To work closely with the Climate Change Programme Development Officer (CPDO) on policy and practice linking DRR and climate change.
To Co-Chair CAFOD’s DRR and Climate Change Working Group, organising meetings and coordinating the work of the group
To communicate CAFOD’s approach and strategy for DRR across the organisation and beyond, and tocollaborate with teams outside the ID (in particular the Public Policy Unit, Campaigns Team and Live Simply team) to help inform their work.
To represent CAFOD in interagency groups (BOND DRRG etc.) and at international meetings/conferences relevant to CAFOD’s work in DRR.
To liaise with other relevant agencies on DRR, specifically with the Catholic overseas aid networks Caritas and Coopération Internationale pourle Développement et la Solidarité (CIDSE).
To undertake some international travel in order to achieve the above objectives (estimated as up to four months annually).
Where appropriate, to undertake other activities proposed by line management.

CHILD PROTECTION

This post involves contact with children or young people (or responsibility for posts which involve contact with children or young people) and applicants will be subject to specific checks related to child protection issues. The successful applicant will be required to provide an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau, or equivalent.

Terms and Conditions

Contract:A permanent contract is offered, including a six month probationary period.

Salary:£35,531 p.a. being grade Rwith 5 annual increments of £711up to a maximum of £39,086p.a.

Hours:9.30 to 5.30 with one hour for lunch. Some occasional evening or weekend work may be required for which time off in lieu is available.

Holidays:20 working days per annum plus statutory holidays plus 6 days determined by CAFOD at Christmas/Easter.

Pensions:There is an optional contributory pension scheme (10% employer and 5% employee contribution). Alternatively, CAFOD will make a similar contribution to a Personal Pension Plan.

Notice period: Three months either way after completion of the probationary period.

Other Benefits:Life Assurance and Permanent Health Insurance cover.

Disabilities:We are committed to making every reasonable adjustment to the workplace or working arrangements so as to accommodate people with disabilities.

Location:The job is located in CAFOD’s London office in Waterloo.

CAFOD is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to child protection

Person Specification

Disaster Risk Reduction Advisor / 1- Limited Relevance / 2- Important / 3- Very Important / 4- Highest Priorities

Organisational Competencies

Behaviours at the heart of our organisation’s success / a- Understands and actively supports CAFOD’s Vision, Mission and Values / X
b- Looks outward; Takes account of other people’s priorities / X
c- Shows an understanding of the Catholic Church and is able to work effectively with it / X
d- Supports a culture of mutual respect, trust & transparency, where partnerships flourish / X
e- Willing and able to contribute to the long-term development of CAFOD / X

Professional Competencies

Behaviours which are important in all organisations / Self Management / f- Manages time and resources efficiently / X
g- Manages own personal growth and development continually / X
h- Manages emotions and stresses positively / X
Thinking and Understanding / i- Analyses and diagnoses problems with depth and insight / X
j- Displays sound judgement and decision making / X
k- Provides creativity and innovation; take risks within context of overall strategy / X
Working
with others / l- Helps others to achieve goals / X
m- Resolves conflict successfully / X
n- Builds rapport and communicates effectively / X
Achieving / o- Shows drive and initiative / X
p- Willingly takes ownership; is openly accountable / X
q- Adapts easily to change / X

Team Management Competencies

Behaviours important to those managing a team / r- Delegation: Hands over tasks to others efficiently and effectively / X
s- Team Development: Constantly builds the capacity and potential of the team / X
t- Leadership: Inspires the team to perform to the best of their ability / X
u- Stewardship: Manages resources prudently / X

Job Specific Competencies

Disaster Risk Reduction Advisor / 1- Limited Relevance / 2- Important / 3- Very Important / 4- Highest Priorities

Job Specific Competencies

Specialist, technical and functional expertise / Ability to facilitate cross-organisational learning processes across an international organisation. / X
Proven ability to capture, filter and disseminate learning in written form and through seminars workshops etc. / X
Excellent understanding of the importance of DRR for humanitarian and development strategies (specifically livelihoods and climate change) and appropriate approaches for mainstreaming DRR / X
A significant level of relevant overseas based field experience in DRR. / X
Ability to participate effectively in cross organisational working groups and teams. / X
Thorough understanding and experience in a range of Disaster Risk Reduction and climate change adaptation approaches. / X
Ability and willingness to travel for up to four months annually. / X
Knowledge and understanding of policy and advocacy work in relation to DRR. / X
Strong commitment to and understanding of working with national NGO and civil society partners. / X
Education to degree level or equivalent. / X
Relevant technical qualifications or research experience. / X
Understanding of gender, HIV/AIDS and diversity issues. / X

Application forms to be returned to:

Closing date for applications: 31st October 2010

1st round interviews: w/c 8th November 2010

2nd round interviews (for those shortlisted after the 1st round): w/c 17th November 2010

Additional Information

CAFOD Mission: to promote human development and social justice in witness to Christian Faith and gospel values.

International Division (ID) purpose: In collaboration with our partners, to have a lasting impact on poverty and injustice through development programmes, advocacy, and humanitarian response. The division will promote learning, strengthen and empower communities and people in need regardless of their race, gender, religion or politics, and build links between CAFOD supporters and partners overseas.

Humanitarian Support Department (HSD)

CAFOD is committed to effective and timely response to meet humanitarian needs globally. The Humanitarian Support Department (HSD) is part of the International Division and provides technical advice and professional expertise to CAFOD, programme staff and partners in developing and delivering effective and appropriate humanitarian programmes globally.

The aim of the department is to provide expertise and support in both technical and thematic areas. These areas include: Disaster Risk Reduction, Capacity Building, Livelihoods, Conflict, health, nutrition, food aid, water, sanitation, construction, programme management, humanitarian funding, training and humanitarian policy.

The HSD specialist staff comprise of the Head of Department, one PA/Department Administrator, the Humanitarian Response and Technical Support Team (seven staff), the Institutional Funding Team (seven staff), Humanitarian Policy Advisor (one staff member), Humanitarian Human Resource specialists (two staff), and humanitarian Trainee positions (two staff). There are also three Africa Regional Humanitarian Coordinators based in southern Africa, DRC and Horn of Africa which are jointly managed by HSD and the Africa Department. In addition, HSD usually has a number of short-term/consultant staff responding to different emergencies.

CAFOD’s emergency income averages £15-20 million per annum. In 2003/2004, CAFOD responded to emergency requests in 32 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

The HSD works closely with Caritas Internationalis, Caritas Europa and members of the international Caritas Confederation in helping to provide and strengthen international assistance to humanitarian crises. The HSD also plays a key role within the UK humanitarian community working closely with other agencies, especially the Disaster Emergencies Committee.

The HSD helps to provide and maintain discussion across CAFOD on humanitarian issues and policy. This involves close liaison with other CAFOD departments and sections, our supporters and regional offices.

CAFOD’s strategic framework “CAFOD 2010 Building Communities for Change” states that:

We will be known as a highly professional faith based partnership agency, with country strategies and focussed programme themes in some 40 priority countries, strengthening relationships and organisational capacity with key partners, and achieving significantly increased institutional income. We will be concentrating on the priority sectors of economic justice, livelihoods, conflict and HIV.

We will have decentralised our programme management and partner accompaniment as appropriate to different country and regional contexts, enabling more Southern involvement in our planning and decision-making.

Making maximum use of our distinctive approach as a faith based agency, and our Catholic networks, we will have increased our humanitarian response and capacity for humanitarian policy development.

This strategic horizon informs the 2005-10 goals for the HSD and the Response and Technical Support Team, Institutional Funding Team and Humanitarian Policy Officer, especially with respect to:

Increased humanitarian response and capacity for humanitarian policy development.
Disaster preparedness and capacity building
Development of an integrated humanitarian response across CAFOD

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